Affordable Valentine’s Day date ideas in Gauteng you can enjoy for R500 or less
By Bulelwa Hoala
February is the month of love, but for many South Africans it also comes with the financial hangover of January.
Between school expenses, debit orders and the long road back to payday, splurging on a Valentine’s Day date isn’t always ideal.
The good news is that romance doesn’t have to break the bank, with plenty of thoughtful ways to celebrate love without overspending.
Here’s a round-up of fun and affordable Valentine’s Day ideas in Gauteng for R500 and below.
Drive-in cinema
Head over to Inanda Country Base on 13 and 14 February for the Valentine’s Drive-In. Snuggle up under the Joburg skyline with your love and take a trip down memory lane by watching classic romcoms The Notebook and Me Before You. Tickets are priced at R350 per vehicle, with vendors on site selling snacks and drinks.
Scenic bus trip
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an exclusive after-hours zoo experience from City Sightseeing Johannesburg this Saturday, 14 February, from 5:30pm. Enjoy sunset sundowners at Munro Viewpoint, followed by a 1.5-hour private guided zoo experience with professional zoo guides, complete with a romantic picnic on the zoo lawns. Also included is a glass of sparkling wine and a box of Lindt chocolates for an all-inclusive price of R375 per person.
Zoo Lake Bowls
Try something new by taking a shot at bowls at Zoo Lake Bowls Club in Parkview. This Valentine’s Day, the establishment is offering couples a game of bowls and a bottle of wine for R250 per couple.
Dinner at home
Nothing beats a romantic dinner at home. Build your perfect night by bringing out the candles or fairy lights, compiling a romantic playlist, curating your own menu and putting the phones away. Affordable meal ideas include garlic bread for starters, pasta for mains and chocolate-dipped strawberries for dessert.
Valentine’s Night Market
Looking for the perfect date night? Linton’s Corner is hosting a Valentine’s Night Market this Friday, 13 February, from 4pm until late. There will be food, live music and plenty of local stalls, with a R20 entrance fee.
Picnic in the park
Grab ingredients for a platter at your local grocery store and head to Nirox Sculpture Park for a quality picnic with your loved one. Located in the Cradle of Humankind on the R540, the park is open from 10am to 4pm, with an entrance fee of R150 per adult. Did we mention it’s a sight to behold?
Zuney Wagyu Bar
The newly launched burger spot is located at Nine Yards in Parktown North, offering tranquil outdoor seating surrounded by trees and a flowing stream. Two classic burgers will set you back R120 each, with wagyu or sweet potato fries priced at R50 each, and soft drinks at R30 each, leaving you with around R100 to spare for dessert.
Romantic run
Fancy yourself a runner? Sign up for the 2026 Randburg Harriers Valentine 10km race or the 5km fun run, taking place this Friday, 13 February, at the Randburg Sports Complex. Entry fees range between R100 and R210 per person.
Putt-putt or golf at Huddle Park
Get your swing on with a round of putt-putt or a nine-hole game of golf at Huddle Park Golf and Recreation in Linksfield, priced at R570 for two.
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